Texas Rangers

Kinsler, Beltre Gold Glove finalists

The Texas Rangers have two players up for American League Gold Gloves. Second baseman Ian Kinsler and third baseman Adrian Beltre were named one of three finalists for their positions for Gold Gloves, which award defensive excellence.

The winners for the Rawlings award will be announced at 9 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN2. It's the first time finalists have been named for the award, which began in 1957 and are voted on by managers and coaches in each league. Another change is each outfield position will be awarded, instead of simply choosing three outfielders.

Kinsler had a breakout defensive season, posting a .984 fielding percentage with 11 errors. More notably was his double-play defense, as he turned 103 double plays this season. The other finalists for second base are Boston's Dustin Pedroia and Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees.

Beltre has long been known for his defense, and he shined once again. He had a .965 fielding percentage with 11 errors. The other finalists for third base Boston's Kevin Youkilis and Evan Longoria of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Beltre won Gold Gloves in 2007 and 2008 when he was with the Seattle Mariners.

-- Drew Davison

Monday's Rangers notes: Colby Lewis' option picked up; Feliz to start?

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels met with the media today to wrap up the 2011 season and look forward to the 2012 season. Here are a few notes from it:

* The Rangers have exercised the $3.25 million option on Colby Lewis for the 2012 season. Lewis went 14-10 with a 4.40 ERA over 32 starts for the Rangers this past season. In the last two postseasons, Lewis went 4-1 with a 2.34 ERA. “Nobody you want on the mound more than him, especially in October,” Daniels said. “So we’re real happy to have him back.”

* As it was the case last offseason, closer Neftali Feliz is a candidate to move to the starting rotation. This year, however, the Rangers will make that decision before spring training. Daniels believes that’s the best way to approach it this winter.

* The team hasn’t set a payroll budget for 2012 yet. The 2011 payroll was in the $92 million range, and Daniels expects it to be higher. “Ownership is really committed to keeping the core together and keeping a winning product on the field,” Daniels said. “That’s not only a factor of major league payroll, but also what we do scouting/ development wise, building the infrastructure and keeping that strong. But I do expect payroll will go up from where it was this year.”

* The preferred position for Josh Hamilton in 2012 is left field. The organization has several internal candidates for center field, including Craig Gentry, Julio Borbon and Leonys Martin.

* First baseman Mitch Moreland played through right wrist tendinitis the second half, as he posted a .241 average with five home runs and 27 RBIs after the All-Star break. In the first-half, he had a .272 average with 11 home runs and 24 RBIs. “We still have confidence in Mitch,” Daniels said. “I don’t think the second half is a fair indication of what he’s capable of.”

* Ron Washington’s job security isn’t in jeopardy. As of now, Washington is signed only through the 2012 season, but Daniels said the team will handle that situation at some point this offseason. Daniels also said the entire coaching staff has been extended offers to return for the 2012 season, and expects that all will come back.

-- Drew Davison

World Series Game 7 Final: Cardinals 6, Rangers 2 (St. Louis wins World Series, 4-3)

By Drew Davison

ddavison@star-telegram.com

ST. LOUIS – The storybook ending for the Texas Rangers 2011 season came in Game 6. They were one strike away – twice. After they blew their first chance in the ninth, Josh Hamilton came through with a two-run home run and veteran lefty Darren Oliver had a chance to get the final three outs in the 10^th.

It didn’t happen, of course, as the St. Louis Cardinals went on to a walk-off victory in the 11^th to force a Game 7.

That loss didn’t seem to have a hangover effect on the Rangers. But, as it turned out, that proved to be as close as they’d get to their first World Series title.

The Cardinals battled back from an early two-run deficit, took advantage of a Rangers’ bullpen breakdown and won the franchise’s 11^th world championship with a 6-2 victory in Game 7 of the 107th World Series on a chilly Friday night at Busch Stadium. St. Louis took the best-of-seven series 4-3.

The Rangers, meanwhile, came away empty for the second consecutive year at the Fall Classic, and are still searching for their first championship in the franchise’s 51 years.

But, at the start of Game 7, the Rangers showed no signs of dwelling on the gut-wrenching Game 6 loss.

Facing Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter on three days’ rest, Ian Kinsler led off with a single to left but was caught too far off first base for the first out. But Elvis Andrus drew a walk, and Josh Hamilton and Michael Young followed with consecutive RBI doubles to right to give Texas a 2-0 lead.

St. Louis answered in the bottom half off Texas starter Matt Harrison. With two outs, Harrison walked Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman. That brought up Cardinals’ Game 6 hero, David Freese, who roped a two-run double to left-center field to tie the game at 2-2. Harrison got out of the inning when Hamilton made a leaping catch at the center field wall on a deep fly ball by Yadier Molina.

The Cardinals took a 3-2 lead in the third when Allen Craig took Harrison deep with a solo shot to right-field, his third homer of the series.

Harrison went four innings, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout.

Scott Feldman came in for the fifth, and a Rangers’ meltdown began.

With one out, Feldman walked Craig and then hit Pujols with a pitch. Both advanced on a groundout by Berkman, and Feldman intentionally walked Freese. That move backfired when Feldman issued a bases-loaded walk to Molina.

C.J. Wilson came in relief after that, and hit Rafael Furcal with his first pitch to gift the Cardinals another run. St. Louis took a 5-2 lead that inning despite it not getting a single hit.

Wilson worked a perfect sixth, but the Cardinals added another run off Mike Adams in the seventh.

By that point, the Cardinals were well in control.

Carpenter didn’t allow another run after the first, working into the seventh inning. The Rangers had their chances, though.

Mike Napoli led off with a single in the second, but nothing came of it. In the fifth, Kinsler led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Andrus. But Hamilton popped out in foul territory, as Freese made a nice catch at the end of the Rangers’ dugout, and Young struck out.

Carpenter went six-plus innings, allowing two runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Arthur Rhodes relieved Carpenter in the seventh, and got pinch-hitter Yorvit Torrealba to fly out. Then Octavio Dotel retired the next two.

St. Louis right-hander Lance Lynn worked a perfect eighth, and Jason Motte closed it out in the ninth.

The Cardinals got the celebration started in front of their home crowd when David Murphy flew out to left.

Rangers Game 7 pregame notes: Cruz, Napoli in lineup; Washington to give speech

Here are a few pregame notes before the Texas Rangers take on the St. Louis Cardinals in a winner-take-all Game 7 of the World Series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CT at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

* Nelson Cruz is penciled in the Game 7 lineup even with a strained right groin. The Rangers will see how he gets through batting practice before making a decision whether to keep him in the lineup. If Cruz can’t go, Craig Gentry would start in his place. Manager Ron Washington would go with Gentry over Endy Chavez because of his defense.

* Washington said Cruz simply had a “bad read” on the David Freese two-run triple in the ninth inning. His groin wasn’t an issue on that play.

* Mike Napoli, who rolled his ankle off the second-base bag in the fourth inning of Game 6, is also in the lineup. “He’s a gamer,” Washington said.

* C.J. Wilson will likely be the first reliever used in Game 7. Derek Holland is available, but he threw two innings (and 23 pitches) in Game 6.

* Washington said closer Neftali Feliz remains his guy to close out a game. Washington wasn’t going to send Feliz back out for the 10^th inning of Game 6, though, saying: “Just his body language and everything didn’t’ look good after that [ninth] inning was over.”

* Washington said he slept well on Thursday night despite his team being a strike away from a world championship twice, and blowing each opportunity. Washington said he slept in until 10:30 a.m. and felt ready to go.

* Before the game, Washington will talk to his team, although it won’t be a rah-rah speech. Asked what he’d say, Washington said: “I’ll meet with them for about five minutes, but it’s not rah-rah, just matter-of-fact. This is what we played for all year. The prize is still within reach. We bounced back from tough defeats before, and last night was a tough one. And I expect us to bounce back. Still have fun, still play our game, still do what we do, don’t change a thing. That’s it.”

* Despite the gut-wrenching Game 6 loss, Washington can appreciate how great a game it was. Of course the Rangers would have liked to be on the other side, but that didn’t take away from the drama. “It was very exciting game, a lot of highs and lows,” Washington said. “What people got to see was two championship teams going after it. They don’t quit, we don’t quit. They got the final blow, they were fighting for their lives, they survived. But it’s a seven-game series, now we play the seventh game.”

-- Drew Davison

World Series Game 7 lineups

The Rangers' lineup could very well change.  Nelson Cruz is in there now, but he will test his strained right groin during batting practice to see if he can go. If not, Craig Gentry would enter the lineup in center, Josh Hamilton would play left and David Murphy would be in right. Mike Napoli (left ankle) is a go at catcher.

Rangers lineup vs. RHP Chris Carpenter: Ian Kinsler, 2b; Elvis Andrus, ss; Josh Hamilton, lf; Michael Young, 1b; Adrian Beltre, 3b; Nelson Cruz, rf; Mike Napoli, c; David Murphy, rf; Matt Harrison, p.

Cardinals lineup vs. LHP Matt Harrison: Ryan Theriot, 2b; Allen Craig, lf; Albert Pujols, 1b; Lance Berkman, rf; David Freese, 3b; Yadier Molina, c; Rafael Furcal, ss; Skip Schumacher, cf; Chris Carpenter, p.

-- Jeff Wilson

Cruz, Napoli in lineup for Game 7

Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli are in the Texas Rangers' lineup for Game 7 vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.

Cruz strained his right groin in his final at-bat on Thursday night, and didn't play the outfield in the 11th inning. He will take batting pracitce on Friday afternoon, and then determine whether he can stay in the lineup.

Napoli rolled his left ankle in the fourth inning Friday, tripping over the second-base bag. He played through it the rest of the game, although he changed how he squatted behind the plate.

Cruz and Napoli both said after Game 6 that they intended to play in Game 7.

-- Drew Davison

Cruz, Napoli in lineup for Game 7

Nelson Cruz and Mike Napoli are in the Texas Rangers' lineup for Game 7 vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.

Cruz strained his right groin in his final at-bat on Thursday night, and didn't play the outfield in the 11th inning. He will take batting pracitce on Friday afternoon, and then determine whether he can stay in the lineup.

Napoli rolled his left ankle in the fourth inning Friday, tripping over the second-base bag. He played through it the rest of the game, although he changed how he squatted behind the plate.

Cruz and Napoli both said after Game 6 that they intended to play in Game 7.

-- Drew Davison

A look at the World Series Game 7 starters: Rangers LHP Matt Harrison vs. Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter

Even with Game 6 being postponed, the Texas Rangers weren't going to alter their rotation. Matt Harrison had been anointed the Game 7 starter, and he takes the mound tonight with a chance to carry the Rangers to the franchise's first World Series title. "I'm prepared and ready to go," Harrison said. "Hopefully, things turn out better than last time." Last time, in Game 3, Harrison lasted 3 2/3 innings. "I feel like I made some pitches in that game, things just didn't go our way," Harrison said. The Cardinals will counter with right-hander Chris Carpenter going on three days' rest.

 

Rangers LHP Matt Harrison

 

Season stats	14-9, 3.39 ERA (31 games, 30 starts)
2011 postseason	1-1, 5.02 ERA (4 games, 3 starts)
2011 interleague	2-1, 2.28 ERA (4 starts)
Career interleague	2-2, 3.80 ERA (10 games, 6 starts)
2011 on road	6-4, 2.99 ERA (15 starts)
Career on road	15-9, 4.23 ERA (43 games, 29 starts)

Career vs. Cardinals batters: Lance Berkman (1 for 5 with one walk and one strikeout); Rafael Furcal (0 for 3); Allen Craig (1 for 2 with a home run); Albert Pujols (1 for 2); Matt Holliday (1 for 2); David Freese (1 for 2 with a double); Gerald Laird (2 for 9 with a double and two strikeouts).

 

Cardinals RHP Chris Carpenter

 

Season stats	11-9, 3.45 ERA (34 starts)
2011 postseason	3-0, 3.30 ERA (5 starts)
2011 interleague play	1-2, 3.09 ERA (3 starts)
Career interleague play	11-12, 4.33 ERA (31 starts)
2011 at home	4-3, 3.05 ERA (17 starts)
Career at new Busch Stadium	32-14, 2.58 ERA (67 starts)*

Career vs. Rangers batters: Mike Napoli (4 for 8 with two home runs and five RBIs); Adrian Beltre (4 for 8 with a double and a home run); Michael Young (2 for 12); Elvis Andrus (1 for 6 with two strikeouts); Josh Hamilton (1 for 6); Ian Kinsler (2 for 6); Nelson Cruz (1 for 4). 

 

-- Drew Davison

Rangers photos: Game 6

Ron Jenkins delivered the leftover photo goods from Game 6 at 4:15 this morning, about an hour after the writers had called it a night. Those photographers are tough, braving the elements and depriving themselves up sleep, while the writers sit in a controlled environment and sip whisky all game (don't we wish). Good work from Mr. Jenkins follows. Cutlines by Jeff Wilson.

Mike Napoli is in agony after his left ankle buckled upon hitting second base in the fourth inning of Game 6. Like a true tough guy, he stayed in the game and says he will play in Game 7.

Yadier Molina, left, was on deck when David Freese hit the game-winning homer in the 11th. Mike Napoli, right, dejectedly heads to the clubhouse.

David Freese was looking like a goat until the ninth and 11th innings. He couldn't handle a Josh Hamilton foul popup on this play and ended up almost going over the protective railing. By the way, just what is that old fellow looking at?

But David Freese was the hero. The St. Louis native tripled in two runs with two outs and two strikes in the ninth inning to tie the game, and then won it here with a homer to start the 11th.

David Freese, it appears, couldn't believe he had just won Game 6. Neither could the Rangers, the Metroplex and most of the baseball world.

Matt Holliday didn't appear to have any interest in touching second base on this double-play ball. Instead, he barrel-rolled into Elvis Andrus and caused Andrus' throw to first to sail wide.

The brains, Tony La Russa, and the brawn, Albert Pujols, of the Cardinals' operation get ready for Game 6. They'll be back at Busch Stadium on Friday afternoon ahead of Game 7.

Harrison ready for Game 7 start

Like everybody else in the Texas Rangers dugout, Matt Harrison watched in anticipation. He thought the Rangers were on their way to a World Series championship, the first in franchise history. Not once, but twice in Game 6 on Thursday night at Busch Stadium.

But the St. Louis Cardinals rallied from two-run deficits twice, and pulled away for a walk-off victory in the 11th inning to force a Game 7. That means Harrison will get the ball in the biggest game to date in franchise history.

"I have my mind-set right, and this game is over with," Harrison said. "I'm just going to get some good rest, get some good sleep and be ready for [Game 7]."

Harrison saw things unravel for himself and the Rangers in his last start, Game 3. A blown umpiring call and a Rangers throwing error limited Harrison's start to 3 2/3 innings in a game Texas would lose to St. Louis, 16-7.

Harrison isn't too worried about what went wrong in Game 3, though, as he's soley focused on Game 7. Over the last few days, manager Ron Washington has been adamant that Harrison would get the start, pointing to the success he's had this season.

Harrison, who wasn't on the postseason roster last season, went 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA over 31 games, including 30 starts.

Harrison closed out the ALDS vs. Tampa Bay earlier this postseason, allowing two runs on five hits over five innings in Game 4. The stakes, of course, weren't as high as they are tonight.

"I'll be ready," Harrison said.

-- Drew Davison